Chapter 5 - The Line in the SandStanding in the doorway was Detective Robert Miller of the Chicago Police Department’s Financial Crimes Division, flanked by two uniformed officers.
Miller was a grizzled, weary-looking man in a wrinkled trench coat, holding a leather notepad.
"Derrick Sterling?" Miller asked, stepping into the room, his eyes lingering on the tattoo on Derrick's hand. "I need you to step away from the patient, sir."
Derrick slowly stood up, placing himself firmly between the police officers and Maya’s bed. "She just woke up, Detective. She’s in ICU."
"I'm not here for Miss Vance," Miller said, pulling a pair of steel handcuffs from his belt. "I have a warrant for your arrest, Mr. Sterling. Charges of corporate espionage, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy in connection with the 4th Avenue structural collapse."
Maya gasped from the bed. "What?! No! He had nothing to do with it!"
Derrick’s expression didn't change. He looked past Miller toward the hallway glass. Standing near the elevators fifty feet away was Julian’s personal attorney, holding a briefcase, offering a tiny, triumphant nod.
Julian had used his law enforcement connections to strike first, pinning the entire collapse on Derrick before the evidence could reach the federal prosecutor.
"Don't say anything, Maya," Derrick said softly over his shoulder, keeping his eyes on Detective Miller. "Call my lawyer, Victoria Vance. Tell her to open safe box 402 at First National."
"Put your hands behind your back, Sterling," Miller ordered, stepping forward.
Derrick didn't resist. He held out his wrists, letting the cold steel cuffs snap tightly around them. As Miller escorted him out of the room, Derrick looked back over his shoulder one last time.
May you like
Maya was sitting up against her pillows, tears streaming down her face, watching him go through the clear glass window—just as he had watched her hours before.
The glass separated them once again, but this time, the war had officially begun.
Related Stories
